In the last few days I have had several different fiberglass guys look over my transom replacement project on my magnum 25.I was going to tackle this repair myself using epoxies and alot of great advice I received here from this forum.My work has kept me away from this project and the weather is setting me back as well. Anyway, these to seperate guys who have been in business each over 30 years, stated that they would not take on the repair job if I insisted they use epoxy resin rather than polyester, which the boat was originaly made from. All the material I have read clearly states epoxies are the way to go. I am a newbie to glass work, can anyone enlighten me.

vinylester

I used vinylester as well on my transom. Polyester everywhere else.

It's most certainly usable for a transom job but if it's not something you regularly use it can be labor intensive in terms of research, using different prep techniques, materials and even tools. Many glass guys are reluctant, myself included, unless it's absolutely necessary. My preference is vinylester as above.

ok thanks.

i just had floor/stringer work on one of my boats.the guy that i decided to do the job has been doing this kind of stuff for many years.we were at first going to use vinylester,witch is what the boat was built with.the boat is almost 30yrs old,and some concern about the new resin sticking to the old.we decided to use expoy resin because my guy said that it would bond/fuse better.it cost more and if ever i have to go back into it i will have to use expoy resin again.i have been told that this resin is better/stronger than othere.i do not know really,i am not a glass guy.thats why i paid someone.

Epoxy does not have the ability fuse to anything, its bond is based solely and one hundred percent on a mechanical component of how well its prepped, this is also why the scarf ratios are larger then for poly. Its been determined that 36 grit grinding offers the greatest bond and if a surface is not completely and thoroughly sanded it will have zero bond on the areas that were under prepped. Just wanted to clarify the terms used above, i will assume your glass guy was already aware based on his experience.

Vinyl, or even poly, after all the rest of the hull is Poly

i am sure he is

Dave is right ,also with these “ester” boats and "ester" repair , aside from the Good ole 36 grit mechanical lock anchor pattern , there are still some active bond sites available as well (hence the styrene smell) when you grind , Careful to NOT to get “oversold” on resins , The VE is fine.